A brand new area for May 2018!! This newly created shaded space on the south-west side of the lake will host key people and organisations within the Joshua Tree community covering topics relating to culture, art and sustainability.

Cody Hanford

Desert Tortoise – SAT 2pm

​Cody is the Executive Director of Transition Habitat Conservancy, a non-profit land trust that works to protect transition zone and wildlife corridor ecosystems in the West Mojave Desert. He has lived and worked in the California Desert for 15 years. Transition Habitat Conservancy is a grassroots, non-profit organization that focuses on land acquisitions and habitat stewardship in the West Mojave. With the support of the local community, a dedicated board and staff, and successful partnerships with local, state and federal agencies, THC has acquired over 7,000 acres of important habitat and works to improve thousands of additional acres in Southern California. www.transitionhabitat.org

Jenny Kane

Artist’s Tea – Connecting Nature & the Arts – SUN 9:45am

Jennifer Kane is an artist, arts advocate, and guide from Los Angeles, CA and currently resides in Joshua Tree, California. Through a multidisciplinary, adaptive practice, Ms. Kane creates opportunities for communities, both embedded and momentary, to gather in unexpected environments, inspiring a deeper understanding and reconnection to self, other, and place. In 2016, Kane received an MFA in Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design. Currently she serves as the Executive Director of Arts Connection – the Arts Council of San Bernardino County and coordinates a Volunteer Art Program for The Joshua Tree Art Innovation Laboratory (JT Lab), an NEA funded arts initiative, hosted by Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park

JTNP Ranger Program (Kid Friendly Presentation) – FRI 4pm & SAT 1pm

"Explore, Learn, and Protect!" The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. The NPS Junior Ranger program is an activity based program conducted in almost all parks, and some Junior Ranger programs are national. Many national parks offer young visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service "family" as Junior Rangers. We are delighted to have the JTNP Park Rangers share their wealth of knowledge with us at the festival!

Mojave Desert Land Trust

Protecting the Mojave Desert Ecosystem – SAT 4pm

​MDLT has conserved more than 70,000 acres of prime desert habitat, forever weaving together National Parks, wilderness areas, and wildlife linkage corridors. The organization works closely with a broad range of desert community members and visitors, as well as with local, state, and federal agencies. MDLT offers hands-on learning and volunteer opportunities to residents and visitors of the desert. It collaborates closely with, and is supported by, a diverse range of partner organizations, agencies, neighbors, and visitors who treasure the desert’s unique qualities. The MDLT staff is wildly talented, creative, and devoted to the cause. BIG thanks to them for coming out to share with us at the festival ! www.mdlt.org

Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council

Local Artisans – FRI, SAT, SUN 1pm

​The Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization with a 501(c)(3) status. The Arts Council’s mission is to inspire and enliven the community through the arts, and to enhance the cultural and economic health of the region. Their OPEN STUDIO Art Tours in October are a ‘not to be missed’ cultural event here in the high desert !

Nicolas Rotundo

​An in depth exploration of carbon, nitrogen and water cycles and the interruption humans play with industrialization and extraction of resources. How are we affecting natural cycles and potentially climate change, and what we can do to stop the exploitation. Nicolas is Farm Manager at Punta Mona, a center for Regenerative Design and Botanical Studies, an emission specialist for the state of California studying effects of air pollution as a byproduct of the transportation industry. He is also a Horticulturist specializing in alternatives in conventional agricultural methods including but not limited to hydroponics, aquaponics, phytoremediation, reforestation, permaculture, and regenerative science. www.puntamona.org

Rebecca Lowry - JT Lave

Nature & Art – SUN 9:45am

​Rebecca Lowry is Lead Artist for Joshua Tree Art Innovation Laboratory (JT Lab), an initiative that explores new ways artists can work with the National Park Service to pursue a common mission. Her primary role at JT Lab is that of Embedded Art Professional, in which she collaborates on special projects, and provides creative assistance at Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and other NPS sites. Lowry also maintains an art practice in both Los Angeles and Twentynine Palms and teaches at Otis College of Art and Design. www.jtlab.info

Stephanie Dashiell

Nature Conservancy – SAT 10:30am

Stephanie is a Project Director with The Nature Conservancy in California. Her work focuses on developing strategies to help California rapidly deploy renewable energy generation without unnecessarily sacrificing important lands and waters. Stephanie works with a large group of NGO, state and federal partners to ensure California has plans and policies to avoid and minimize these impacts as the state advances toward a clean energy future. She holds a Masters in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara and a Bachelors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. www.nature.org

Trash Pirates

Tips and Tricks for Living a Sustainable Life – FRI 4:45pm

​Raising recycling consciousness, one festival at a time. Want to make your music festival experiences and life more environmentally friendly? The Trash Pirates have a guide on how to minimize your waste footprint. Re-Use not single-use.Re-use all primary consumer goods. De-package all items at the place of purchase. When you see litter, pick it up! Boycott buying single-use products. Bring your own vessels (Cup, plate, etc.) EVERYWHERE you go. The Pirates will regale you with more methods for helping PachaMama…..and they just might break out in to song.

Yedudah RiceSAT 11:45am & SUN Noon

Explore the many long trails that run through North America, connecting National Parks and wild places, and focus on the formidable task of living on trail for 4-6 months. Yedudah will cover the logistical and psychological aspects to be expected and endured, thru hiking vs. section hiking, common trail ailments, gear, re-supply, and more. Yedudah will also recount some of the fascinating encounters, and experiences interacting with nature. www.yedudah.me